Justice Says Recent COVID-19 Numbers "Not Good" and Won't Rule Out Rolling Back to Past Restrictions
By Jeff Toquinto on July 31, 2020
Governor Jim Justice discussed multiple numbers involving the COVID-19 pandemic during today’s press conference and most of them were described as “not good” by the state’s top elected official.
“Today, we’ve had an additional 182 positive cases,” said Justice. “It’s a record high, but we’re testing record numbers.”
He said there were 1,712 active cases, which is up from 1,647 from Monday. Hospitalizations were also at 102, up from 94 on Monday the governor said.
“That’s moving at about 10 percent a day. It’s still well, well, well under the capacity at our hospitals, but it’s not good,” said Justice.
Justice’s big concern was with Kanawha County, where there are 277 active cases. He said that is up from 254 on Monday.
“We’re watching Kanawha County very closely,” said Justice.
Justice started Friday’s COVID-19 with an all too familiar somber tone. He said there were five additional deaths to report since his last press conference.
“We’re still having a real issue with this killer virus,” said Justice.
The deaths include a 74-year-old female from Mercer County, a 49-year-old female from Ohio County, a 59-year-old Male from Logan County, and a 98-year-old male from Raleigh County.
Justice again reiterated his concerns with cases coming from the south. He pointed to neighboring states and asked for residents to continue to wear their masks.
The state, he said, has seen 4,750 recoveries from the Coronavirus, but there are 1,712 active cases. He said the gap between the two numbers needs to widen.
“We’re fighting a monster here and the monster is killing people every day,” said Justice.
Justice said as far as re-imposing more restrictions as the numbers rise, he said they are “absolutely on the table.” Justice said the state may have to back up in a more aggressive way.
“I hope and pray we don’t have to go there … We’re not there,” said Justice, who added stringent restriction would go back in place if the numbers continued to worsen.
There was a positive number reported today. The rate of re-transmission of the disease in the state, the Rt, has dropped under 1.0 to .97, said Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s COVID-19 Czar.
“That gives us encouraging hope for a reduction in the future for some of these cases,” said Marsh.
On the education front, Justice said the state is pledging $2.5 million to go to smaller colleges and universities to help with testing. Justice said Marshall and West Virginia University have their own plans in place.
Outbreaks in churches are now in four counties. Mason, Grant, Logan, and Taylor Counties are the remaining counties and account for 87 cases.
Free testing is taking place today and Saturday in Gilmer County; today untill 3 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 809 Medical Drive in Glenville. Marion County will have free testing Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Windmill Park in Fairmont, while Hampshire County will have free testing August 5 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hampshire High School. Taylor County will have testing August 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grafton High School.
